Hello,

I'm new to the forum and I have a question. I want to swap in a 5.7 '89 TPI into a '87 G-body. Basically I would like to know what are the major differences between an F-Body TPI and a Corvette TPI. It seems that people always say not to do the Corvette swap. I'm just curious why. The differences cannot be that extreme can they? If an LT1 can fit fairly easily into a G-Body a TPI can't be too difficult.

I know this forum is more for LT-1 or LS-1 swaps but if people have done them in El Caminos I would like to know what I'm getting into.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

The main differences that I'm aware of on the TPI motors between the F-Body and Y-Body are the locations of the accessories. With the Y-Body there may be an accesory that might be in the way of mounting the motor but I can't say for sure. Internally the Vette motor is probably a 4 bolt main with a better cam then the Camaro.

If there are accessories in the way you could switch over to the brackets for an F-Body setup. I guess you'll have to try dropping the motor in and see if it fits.

For an LT1 setup the Corvette is a better setup but I can't say on the TPI motors.

One minor difference that I am aware of. The fuel rail connection for the camaro system is on the drivers side, for the corvette its on the passenger side. The original line in my elky is on the passenger side, so I had to run a line around the frame to the drivers side connection. A bit more work, but not a show stopper.

thanks guys, I appreciate the info.

Cokeman,

I personally have done a few of these swaps on different Elkys and I can tell you there are a great deal of differences based on which engine type you go with.

First I'd tell you to get your hands on Mike Knell's TPI Engine Swapping Manual. His web site is WWW.jagsthatrun.com

FIRST-Read this manual through from cover to cover at least twice. This may sound stupid, but I will tell you based on one who is experienced, you will benefit tremendously everytime you do. There is a large section that is totally dedicated to the El Camino G-Body Swap! This may appear to be a simple drop-in-and-wire-up, but I can assure you,it just "appears" that way.

If yours has a V8 presently, this is better than a 6, but getting the TPI sitting in the frame in reality is a very, very, small part of this project.

Please reconsider if this is being done in your daily dependant dirver. These swaps require time and patience, and again I say, time and patience. You will need an alternate vehicle to depend on until this one is running.

This is a costly project but worth every cent and drop of sweat and blood!!
There are costly considerations you need to address for yourself, such as in considering a dedicated Corvette transplant, and Mike's manual addresses about 90% of them. The latter 10% deal with the intricacies of your specific install, and how you choose to do the electrical side, exhaust, and AC for example.

If I could steer you in a direction, I'd say to find myself a 89 MAF to 92 Speed Density, complete unit -5.7 L98-TPI with the 700r4 attached as a package. The IROC and TA motors are much more install friendly, though less in HP.

For obvious reasons, stay away from the 305 TPI engines. I personally think it a sacrilage to go to all the trouble/challenge and not put in a 5.7/350. Besides that the 305s were always cam eaters. MAF engines are the one to consider if you are looking to play with airflow and such, as the Speed Density requires ECM chip work to compensate for any performance mods. Again, this stuff is covered in the manual.

There are a few resources to locating them. GM Sports and Billy Graham's are both great dismantlers that offer good deals on total take-outs ,and have great quality stock. They are reachable on the web.

I am not sure which way you are considering, but I will be glad to help you with information, and answer any questions off line, just shoot me an email here and we can sync up.

GET ALL THE FACTS BEFORE YOU MAKE A SINGLE PURCHASE, THERE IS MUCH TO CONSIDER, THOUGH THE RESULT IS PRICELESS!!!

8)

Hello

Good to be able to talk to some who has done this. I was given a 1985 corvette engine with 54 k on and want to install into my 85 elco. Seems the hardest part is the wiring. I do have the book you talked about. I live in Calif so smog is a big deal, as you know.
The is a big help on some part but still does not address the wiring all the way.
Any further help would be great.

thanks

Tjb49

For obvious reasons, stay away from the 305 TPI engines. I personally think it a sacrilage to go to all the trouble/challenge and not put in a 5.7/350. Besides that the 305s were always cam eaters. 8)

Why do you say the 305s are cam eaters? They're just debored 350s.

Hello

Good to be able to talk to some who has done this. I was given a 1985 corvette engine with 54 k on and want to install into my 85 elco. Seems the hardest part is the wiring. I do have the book you talked about. I live in Calif so smog is a big deal, as you know.
The is a big help on some part but still does not address the wiring all the way.
Any further help would be great.

thanks

Tjb49

The '85 was the first year of the TPI, and has a funky ECM with the MAF control attached as a daughter board( at least on the F-bodies). That being said, the rest of the wiring should be similar between the Corvette and the F-bodies. If you go to my website ( see signature) I've got a lot of files uploaded for the TPI swap. One of them is a spreadsheet that deals specifically with the wiring changes. There are only a few connections (less than 10) that need to be made/changed. There is also a spreadsheet there with all of the parts I used and the cost. You can use that as a straw man to build you r project cost.

Feel free to ask questions. Plan a lot, and get a 3-ring binder to keep all your info organized.